David Lodge died after being found next to his father and full-time carer Peter’s body. His sister Keri believes the strain of caring and lack of government support contributed to their deathsPeter Lodge devoted his life to his son, David. He cherished every moment with him, even when David’s condition left them effectively housebound. Right up until he was 74, Peter would sleep on the living room floor beside David’s hospital bed. Not once did he see his role as a burden.He was angry, though. He was angry at what he described as the “state exploitation” of family carers. Angry at the pittance paid in carer’s allowance to those giving up their lives to care for loved ones, propping up the UK’s ailing social care system in doing so. It was, he said, “insulting”. Continue reading...
Peter Lodge, a full-time carer for his son David, who had complex health conditions, died from a stress-related condition exacerbated by the relentless demands of caregiving and lack of support. David, unable to call for help, was found next to his father's body and later died. Their deaths, attributed to neglect and failure of the state to provide adequate support and emergency planning, highlight the struggles of unpaid carers and echo similar tragedies.
